Nearly 6,900 dogs licensed

Dog licensing compliance is pretty good in Kamloops, according to the city bylaw services department.

(JENNIFER STAHN /InfoTel Multimedia)

July 06, 2013 - 6:00 AM

KAMLOOPS – With 6,899 dogs currently licensed in the city the voluntary compliance mandate set out by the bylaws department appears to be working.

While some people have taken to the Internet to complain about recent checks at dog parks the city is looking for compliance, not cash.

“We are proactive in licensing,” bylaw services supervisor John Ramsay says, “dogs parks tend to be reactive. Someone makes a complaint of dogs not being licensed at the park and we will go and check all the dogs.”

Even then warnings will be given before fines are issued, Ramsay says.

“We give them to comply, and most people are quite good, most don't want to be in violation of a bylaw.” he says of the warnings given to those contravening the bylaw, “We always seek voluntary compliance first.”

Fines for unlicensed dogs are $75, three times more than the license for a neutered or spayed dog, and a license will still be required.

“We do the best we can with what we got,” Ramsay says, “I only have 10 full-time staff.”

These 10 staff members are responsible for more than just dog bylaws but will take the time to follow up on any complaints that come in—though usually dog complaints are of aggressive or barking dogs, not unlicensed ones.

Staff also send out letters every year reminding people to renew their dog license and those that have not renewed will get a follow up call or letter. In the fall bylaws will also follow up on any warnings given earlier in the year to ensure those dogs have all been licensed.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.

Kamloops residents are generally good at ensuring their dogs are licensed, according to bylaw services supervisor John Ramsay.

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